The discovery, Distel adds, sheds light on the evolution of symbiotic relationships between sulphur-oxidising organisms and other creatures, and backs up the possibility that sunken wood might have played a role in how such species ended up in locations such as deep sea hydrothermal vents. “To me it was almost like finding a dinosaur – something that was pretty much only known by fossils,” he said.

Here in Texas, the new rules for cleaning up cow carcasses spawned by Mad Cow disease has also had an effect.

The Black Buzzards have taken to killing and eating newborn calves.

This is rather silly IMO, because the reason Mad Cow spread was carcasses being used to make cow feed, not rotting carcasses out in fields. It is the Job of the Buzzards to clean up carcasses to inhibit the spread of disease. This is why they piss and shit on their own feet, to sanitize them after jumping around in diseased guts.

Female eclectus, on the other hand, almost never leave their nest tree once they have found a suitable hole to nest in, so they remain dependent upon their mates to forage for them while they remain with their tree, defending it against all challengers. Because there is fewer than one nest hollow per square kilometre of rainforest, female eclectus parrots have sometimes been observed fighting to the death over this rare and precious resource. Because they can easily see each other, the female’s brilliant scarlet colouring serves as a visual warning to potential interlopers that a particular tree is occupied. Predatory birds can also see the female’s contrasting plumage, especially because she often positions herself prominently on top of her nest tree, but she quickly retreats into the safety of her nest hollow when threatened.

Because of the rarity of nest hollows, eclectus parrots have evolved a fascinating mating system. Limited nesting opportunities prevents this species from establishing a monogamous pairing, which is common amongst parrots, and it also prevents a classical polyandrous mating system where the female competes for and mates with several males who have their own nests. Instead, the rarity of nest hollows causes eclectus parrots to maximise their reproductive output by evolving cooperative polyandry. This is where the female mates with two or more males and all of them remain together to raise the chicks. The resident female, who cannot leave her nest tree for fear of losing possession of it, is dependent upon being fed by a number of males — Heinsohn has observed as many as seven males at one nest tree. Are these “extra males” related to each other or to the resident female? Originally, it was thought that they were related or that they might be offspring from previous nests that had not yet dispersed. But molecular data reveal that neither scenario is the case.

Study co-author Christy Hipsley of Museums Victoria says that the scans “show in incredible detail how the Tasmanian tiger started its journey in life as a joey that looked very much like any other marsupial, with robust forearms so that it could climb into its mother’s pouch. But by the time it left the pouch after around 12 weeks to start independent life, it looked more like a dog or wolf, with longer hind limbs than forelimbs.”

This semiaquatic creature is found in and near the freshwater streams and lakes in Mexico, Central and South America to Argentina, and is the most aquatic living marsupial (the lutrine opossum also has aquatic habits). It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. The thylacine, commonly referred to as the Tasmanian tiger, also exhibited this trait, but is now believed to be extinct.

Researchers found that water in bedrock can sustain trees through droughts even after the soil has become parched.
At a field site in Northern California's Mendocino County, scientists found that up to 27 percent of annual rainfall was stored as "rock moisture," the water clinging to cracks and pores in the bedrock.

Huge “mega-colonies” of penguins have been discovered near the Antarctic peninsula, hosting more than 1.5 million birds. Researchers say it shows the area is a vital refuge from climate change and human activities and should be protected by a vast new marine wildlife reserve currently under consideration.

The huge numbers of Adélie penguins were found on the Danger Islands in the Weddell Sea, on the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is a difficult place to reach and has seldom been visited. But scientists, prompted by satellite images, mounted an expedition and used on-the-ground counts and aerial photography from drones to reveal 751,527 pairs of penguins.

Weasels also appreciate the value of co-opted fur. In winter, voles and mice build little dome-shaped nests under the snow. When a weasel finds one of these nests, it’s a genuine jackpot: lunch and lodging combined. Better still with a few tweaks: After eating the residents, the weasel lines its new dwelling in rodent fur to improve insulation.

“If you pop open one of these nests in springtime, you discover a macabre scene,” Dr. Zielinski said. “What was once occupied by a vole is now covered with vole-hair wallpaper.”

A rodent’s closet of nightmares: no clowns, no juggling, just one cold and hungry weasel, knocking at the door.